Thread holder



J. w. GILBERT THREAD HOLDER Aug. 5, 1952 Filed Oct. 25. 1950 FIC'1-Z.

FIGLI..

Faas.

Patented Aug. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE 2,605,981y l L r THREAD HOLDER Jean W. Gilbert, San Fernando, Calif. Application october s, 195o, sera1No.1ss,2os` s Claims. (01.24'2-126) This invention relates to thread holders of the type temporarily or permanently mountedv on spools of thread so as to retain the `free end of the thread against unwinding when not in use.

Conventionally wooden spools for thread are notched along the top edge for insertion of the thread therein when not being wound or un- Wound. However, these notch segments break off easily and are generally unsatisfactory. Various devices which have been proposed for this problem have been complicated or unsatisfactory for one reason or another.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide improved thread holders which are simple and economical in construction and operation.

Another purpose resides in the provision nof such thread holders which can be installed on spools without blocking the central channels thereof, so that a spool can be mounted upon a pivot pin extending thru the central channel without interference with the thread holder.

A further object is to provide such an improved thread holder which is readily detachable so that it can be transferred from one spool of thread to another.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally, and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangements of parts and in the details of construction and operation hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings, which form part of the present specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a spool of thread, centrally cut away to show one form of my thread holder mounted in the central channel thereof.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tcp of the spool and holder of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a view of the bottom end of the same spool and holder.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the thread holder of Figure 1, shown apart from the spool.

In the embodiment particularly illustrated in Figures 1-4, there is provided a detachable member I0, preferably formed by bending an elongated narrow strip of resilient material, such as steel, aluminum, organic plastic, etc. The central section Aof the thread holder is shaped `as a generally` straight shank I2, which is adapted to lie in juxtaposition to theinner peripheral surface I4 of the central channel I6 Which axially traverses a conventional thread spool I3.

At oppostezends, the shank l2 is bent approximately at right angles to form a pair of generally parallel arms 20, 22 laterally extending in the same direction and adapted to overlie the outer faces respectively of the top 24 and bottom 26 disks or ends, of the spool. In this connection it is important to note thatthe longitudinal length of the lower arm 22 is less than the inner diameter of the spool channel I6 so that it can be readily inserted completely thru the channel from the top'untilthe upper arm 20 abuts against the top 24.' 1 I- The holder I0 is then radially slid outward from such position until the shank I2 frictionally engages the channel wall along its entire length. When thus located, the holder is securely mounted on the spool, due to the tension or resilience of the opposing arms, 20, 22 against the adjacent spool ends.

With the thread holder in place, the spool may still be easily slipped over and taken off of a spool-holding pin (not shown) such as are found on a sewing machine or thread rack. This is in contrast to previous thread holders which obtain their mounting on the spool by means of a plug inserted into the central channel; this plug of course, prevents their use on a spool Which is located on the conventional mounting pins as the latter conventionally extend all the way thru the central channel and project above the top of the spool.

Preferably the outer or free end of the top arm 20 is' turned down slightly to form a lip 28 which overlies the bead or edge 30 of the spool end. Accordingly the free end 32 of thread wound on the spool can be slid under this lip 28-or even moved back under the arm proper-to be releasably retained by frictional engagement until it is desired to withdraw it for use.

When the thread has all been used off of the spool, the thread holder can be quickly removed from the' spool by sliding the shank I2 toward the opposite side of the channel and then Withdrawing the member from the top of the spool. With equal facility it can then be mounted on another spool.

Thus it will be seen that I have produced a thread holder, which is of comparatively simple and economic construction, is easy to install and remove, and will perform its function in a highly effective manner, without interfering with the utilization of the thread or spool itself. My thread holder will not readily wear out or get out of adjustment and the spools on which it is placed-either by the manufacturer or usercan be transferred from one spool holder to another without interference with the thread holder or danger of loss thereof.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have presently conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope ofA my inven tion, which is not to be limited tothe details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the fill'scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equi-'V'- alent devices.

The invention'` having: been.V herein described, what I claim as4 new and. desire to secure b'y Letters Patent is:

l. A thread holder of the character described comprising: a resilient member having a central shank adapted to be receivedthr`u the central channel of a spool and to b'e lodgedlin juxtaposition with the wall thereof, apair of generally parallel side' arms. extending' respectively from opposite ends of said shank and adapted to releasably engage opposite' en'ds or said spool, one of said arms being slightly less than the diameter of such spool channel, and. the other ofV said arms being adapted to extend adjacent an edge of the spool so as to releasably retain a thread between the arm and the spool. Y

2. A thread holder ofy the character described comprising a resilient member having a central shank adapted to be received thru the central channel of a, spool and to be lodged in juxtaposition with the Wall thereof, a pair of generally parallel side arms extending respectively from opposite ends of said shank and adapted to releasably engage opposite ends of said spool, one of said arms being slightly less than the diameter of such spool channel, and the other of said arms being adapted to extend adjacent an edge of the spo'ol. and having a projecting lip adapted to overlier the same so as t'o releasably retain a thread between the arm and the spool.

3. In combination with a thread spool, the improvement comprising: a thread holder formed with an elongated arm formed of resilient ma- -1 terial, havingA a free end disposed adjacent an edge of the spool so as to releasably retain a thread therebetween, a shank connected to the other end of said arm and disposed in the central channel of the spool in. lateral registration with the wal-lA thereof, and another arm having a length less than the diameter of said channel and extending fromY the opposite end 0f. the shank in frictional engagementwith the spoolV end, whereby the thread holder is. detachably retained on the spool;

l JEAN W. GILBERT.

REFERENCES Y CITED TheA following references are of record in the nie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number A Name Date 566,210 Mohn ..-s Allg. 18, 1896 1,044,014 Butts NOV. 12, 1912 1,925,539 Hurst 1..-..-.- sept. 12, 1933 2,496,945 Johnson 1-...-. Feb. '7, 1950 

